The judge recused himself Tuesday because of comments he'd made about reasonable doubt in the homicide cold case since the conclusion of the first trial.

Brantner was originally arrested in March 2015 and formally accused in Beck's death.

Beck died of apparent strangulation while traveling from her home in Sturtevant to Appleton for a work-related seminar. Her van was found a few days later in a Fond du Lac parking lot, but her body wasn't found until more than a month later, when it was discovered in a ditch near Waupun.

At the start of the first Brantner's trial, his defense attorney said the fingerprint evidence gleaned from Beck's van was weak, and that other evidence that could clear his client has been misplaced.

Brantner's attorney wants the case thrown out given the mistrial and the judge's comments.

"If not for him making those comments, he likely would have granted our motion to dismiss, finding him not guilty, acquitting him, but now he's in jeopardy again." Craig Powell said.

Prosecutors said they will do what it takes to bring justice to Beck's family.